The hidden cost of admin

Why agents deserve more time on what matters 

For most estate agents, the real joy of the job comes from matching people with homes, negotiating offers, and guiding clients through one of life’s biggest milestones. Yet increasingly, the day-to-day reality looks very different. Instead of building relationships or closing deals, too many hours are swallowed up by chasing paperwork, double-keying data, and keeping track of endless email chains. 

This imbalance is leaving many agents frustrated and it’s slowing down transactions for the entire market. 

The hidden cost of delays extends well beyond time. Longer pipelines mean: 

• More hand-holding: countless client calls and progress updates 

• Higher risk management: as timelines lengthen, the chance of issues increases 

• Lost opportunity: every hour spent chasing documents is an hour not spent winning new instructions 

• Weaker client trust: drawn-out processes make buyers and sellers doubt their agent’s efficiency 

At worst, a single deal can collapse, leaving months of work wasted. Multiply that across a branch or group, and the commercial impact is significant. 

Why are delays so persistent? 

Agents consistently highlight three main bottlenecks: 

• Material information gaps: too often, key details aren’t ready when an offer is made, causing progress to stall 

• Slow searches and legal prep: conveyancing steps can drag out for weeks 

• Compliance checks: AML, ID, and proof of funds are vital, but if started late or duplicated, they become a major drag 

The challenge isn’t that these tasks exist, it’s that they’re often handled inefficiently or in silos. 

Turning admin into a business advantage 

The good news is that many of these barriers can be reduced or removed entirely. Agents who embrace smarter workflows don’t just speed up transactions – they strengthen their business and reputation. 

Practical steps that make a difference include: 

1. Collect material information upfront: NTS-compliant details, title data, and legal documents should be gathered before the property even goes live 

2. Digitise compliance: secure AML and ID verification tools save time, reduce errors, and create audit-ready records automatically 

3. Engage conveyancers earlier: a Fast Start pack means searches and contracts begin straight after offer acceptance 

4. Adopt workflow platforms: sharing verified data securely across the chain cuts duplication and ensures all parties stay aligned 

Done well, these changes free up agents to focus on the work that matters: growing instructions, supporting clients, and driving revenue. 

The market backdrop makes action urgent 

The current market is both an opportunity and a challenge. On one hand, pipelines are bigger and buyer demand is rising. On the other, admin bottlenecks risk undermining growth. 

Agents who fail to adapt could see competitors leapfrog them with smoother, faster processes. Worse, they could see client trust erode if deals repeatedly stall or fall through. 

The message is clear: streamlining admin isn’t optional – it’s survival. 

How Coadjute helps agents reclaim their time 

This is exactly where Coadjute comes in. As the UK’s gold-standard home moving platform, backed by Lloyds Banking Group, Nationwide, NatWest, and Rightmove,  Coadjute is designed to give estate agents more agency by fully outsourcing the end-to-end the admin burden. 

Here’s how: 

• Assured Compliance for buyers and sellers: complete AML, KYC, and Source of Funds checks digitally. No chasing documents, no manual reviews, and results delivered audit-ready every time 

• Assured Compliance for landlords: sanctions checks are now mandatory. With Coadjute, these happen automatically at onboarding, with ongoing monitoring and alerts built in 

• Material Information for free: instantly collect title data, ownership, and property details in seconds. Properties can be listed faster, with fewer late-stage surprises and fall-throughs 

• Smart Referrals to conveyancers: turn completed onboarding into a Fast Start pack, contract, searches, and forms ready on day one, so conveyancers can act immediately. 

Each step is not only streamlined but also integrated into a single secure platform. Data is verified once and reused throughout the journey, cutting duplication for everyone. 

The business benefits are real 

Agents using Coadjute consistently report: 

• Time savings: fewer hours wasted on paperwork, more time spent with clients 

• Compliance confidence: HMRC audit-ready checks handled automatically 

• Revenue generation: on average, branches generate an additional £980 per month from compliance services alone 

• Happier clients: buyers and sellers experience a modern, digital journey that builds trust 

• Reduced fall-throughs: with material information and legal packs prepared earlier, deals stay on track. 

This turns admin from a cost into a competitive advantage. 

Why every week saved matters 

In today’s property market, speed, certainty, and client confidence make the difference between winning and losing instructions. 

When admin is no longer the choke point: 

• Clients feel supported and informed 

• Deals progress faster and with fewer risks 

• Agents get time back to grow their business 

It’s not just about saving hours. It’s about reshaping the client experience, showing buyers and sellers that your agency is modern, professional, and ahead of the curve. 

A final thought 

The property market will always be complex, but admin shouldn’t be what slows it down. The hidden cost of inefficiency is too high for agents, clients, and the market as a whole. 

With the right tools and partners, compliance and paperwork don’t have to be burdens. They can be strengths,  processes that save time, reduce risk, and even generate revenue. 

That’s why forward-thinking agents are finding that Coadjute doesn’t just help them cope with admin, it gives them more agency to focus on what really matters: winning instructions, building relationships, and closing deals.